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Archiver > APG > 2000-08 > 0967504449


From: "Myra V Gormley" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Mentoring
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 16:14:09 -0700


On the other side of the coin (so to speak), I wish professional genealogy
colleagues would contact me first before providing my name, e-mail address,
phone number, etc. to others. My morning e-mail brought this request:

" , , , consult whether the work I've done might be suitable for submission
for certification. She gave me your name. Could we meet briefly for coffee?
I would send for the organization's information but my question is specific
to a completed manuscript. "
<snip>

No matter what I tell this person, my reply is going to sound like I'm one
of the "unapproachables" simply because there is no time in the next 6 to 8
weeks for me to take a part of my day for "coffee" and to meet a person
who wants me to look at their manuscript. Moreover, what is wrong with this
person obtaining the "BCG Genealogical Standards Manual" and asking first
whether or not I would ever be available for such a consultation and if so,
what my fees are? Her/his manuscript might be on subject about which I have
no knowledge (probably is). As someone on the list pointed out, just
because I'm certified doesn't mean I know everything about everything in
genealogy.

I assume many of us have this problem with unwelcome requests, but when one
specifies "commissions not accepted" I assumed my colleagues would
understand that I am not accepting any clients, let alone spend time with
someone who wants to have coffee with me and look at their manuscript. Of
course, I could quote this person my hourly rate and see how much they
really want to have coffee with me.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG

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